Extremes of age are associated with differences in the expression of selected pattern recognition receptor genes and ACE2, the receptor for SARS-CoV-2: implications for the epidemiology of COVID-19 disease
Stephen W. Bickler, David M. Cauvi, Kathleen M. Fisch, James M. Prieto, Alicia G. Sykes, Hariharan Thangarajah, David A. Lazar, Romeo C. Ignacio, Dale R. Gerstmann, Allen F. Ryan, Philip E. Bickler, Antonio De Maio
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Older aged adults and those with pre-existing conditions are at highest risk for severe COVID-19 associated outcomes. METHODS: Using a large dataset of genome-wide RNA-seq profiles derived from human dermal fibroblasts (GSE113957) we investigated whether age affects the expression of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) genes and ACE2, the receptor for SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: Extremes of age are associated with increased expression of selected PRR genes, ACE2 and four genes that encode proteins that have been shown to interact with SAR2-CoV-2 proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of PRR expression might provide a strategy for stratifying the risk of severe COVID-19 disease at both the individual and population levels.